Money Down the Drain in Iraq (NYT)

stunning reversal : NYT deplores money down the drain!

generally you get it when the urgency is getting things done fast and the cost isn't so important

it's a sign of competence to get the priorities right, as to what sort of waste you'll trade off for what sort of gain

compare the war on poverty, where money spent made poverty more attractive, as predicted

As Americans look for explanations of how things went so horribly wrong in Iraq, they should not overlook the shameful breakdowns in reconstruction contracting.